Dust Collection #3: Fine!....... particles that is

Looks like your lungs should be celebrating Thanksgiving. :-)

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Nice find! I too was going to build one at first, with ducted pickups throughout the shop, bought a big 4 speed industrial blower, now sitting up in the rafters in the garage for 10 years. :) I did the same thing, I wired the two I have to a wall switch and a timer so I can turn them on while I’m there then leave them running for a while after I’m done and they shut off.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

Nice, I whish I could own something similar, I know my lungs will be happy to have it, but how you dare setting that monster in top of your R4511!!!! ;)

Alonso

-- The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me.

Thanks for the comments guys.

Charlie – actually my lungs couldn’t make it for the thanksgiving dinner, but they RVSP for the holidays in Dec.

Curt – so did you end up building something with a blower? or is that an industrial air cleaner? would love to see pics of what it’s setup as.

Alonso – I’m pretty sure it scratched the beejeesus out of the granite as I put it on there, luckily, Im not anal about scratches. as long as it’s in 1 piece.

for what it’s worth, I don’t think it’ll see much use currently. but for the price. I figured later on it would be a good investment.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Very nice!!

Somebody CraigsListed TWO of the Grizzly versions a month ago. Sounds like her father passed on, and she was cleaning house. I hesitated and missed them. Something like $125/each.

While I’m pretty impressed with my $20 box fan and 3M Filtrete filter … I can only imagine how much better a “proper” air cleaner would do.

Neil
Still awaiting scheduling from the electrician ;-)

-- -- Neil

Thanks Neil, I had a box fan as a ‘temp’ minimal solution while I conjure something better, but its just far different than a large blower air cleaner, you realize that the moment you turn on the switch on both of those. I highly recommend either getting one (CL deals) or building something with a furnace blower – which was my original plan.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Great. I’ve got the box fan thing I built but I’m sure it’s not nearly as effective as the unit you’ve got. I’ve seriously got to think about buying or building one. Long term exposer can’t be good.
take care.

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://web.me.com/deceiver6/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html

Thanks Dan.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

PurpLev, it’s a blower like you find in furnaces just a bit bigger. Didn’t build anything with it, landed up getting two Trend-Lines 12” square air cleaners like you got. 12” so I could mount them up between the joists so I wouldn’t bang my head.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

Good find Sharon enjoy.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture maker, Riddle Oregon

Thanks!

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

PurpleV, I have had the remote control version for a few years now. It works great as long as you clean the static filter regularly. I needed it this last Saturday when I blew the dust out of my overhead heater. It cleaned the shop air quickly. I also run it when I spray laquer. It catches the floating particles and helps keep me from getting high. You did good, congrats.
KHOP

-- How am I doing? Better than I deserve. Dave Ramsey

Thanks khop... thats good to know. so it keeps you from getting high? ... not sure I like that idea… lol

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

While no price paid was given above that I noticed, this looks an awful lot like a gloat…

I am planning on an air cleaner build in the near future, the commercial ones are nice, but I want to make sure I can get off the shelf replacement filters, preferrably the 3M Filtrete Ultra Allergen (.3 micron) filters. I can get those reasonably inexpensive online by the case…

The question is, are there any commercially available air cleaners that use standard HVAC filter sizes?

-- Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop

I guess this would be considered a gloat. I just don’t like to be too flashy… although the price I paid for the cleaner was close to the price of a new filter…

I don’t think the commercial air cleaners sized to take standard HVac filters (which is what I have on my box fan currently as well). and I believe this is done for marketing reasons (they do want to sell their products and make money too). for what it’s worth. the electrostatic filter has a warranty of 10 years. so it seem to justify it’s price ($49) as the HVac filters do need to be replaced (As far as I know – stated on the packaging itself) which adds up. looking at the construction of this air cleaner, and the filters, I don’t think they would need replacement too often. which wouldn’t add up much.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

My concern isn’t so much cost, as it is that I think none of the commercially available air cleaners filter down to the 1 micron or lower level. Again, this is a lack of information thing. Dust collectors are easy to find data on, air cleaners not so much.

I should mention that the box fan with the Filtrete filter duct taped DOES work, it’s just slow, and UGLY… Takes about 2 hrs to clean my shop air (as determined by the flashlight / floating visibles test, not super accurate on the fines…)

-- Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop

Actually JDS website if quite informative. they state that the Air-Tech models effectively remove 99% of the particles in the air that are 5 micron in size or larger, and 91% of the particles as small as 1 micron in size

I’m pretty happy with those stats. this is definitely an improvement from having box fan with filter, or from having nothing at all. between the DC and this, the numbers look pretty good.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

PurpLev,
I found the same unit on Craigslist two years ago.. great value for the $100 price tag. It would have been hard to build an equal unit from scratch for that much. I have it hanging from my garage ceiling and the drop in dust on my tools and car has been noticeable. Great snag!

-- Scott, Colorado

Thanks Scott, that is good news. I felt the same way, that it would be hard to build an equal machine for sub $100. not saying it’s impossible to make a good unit – there are more than a few here on lumberjocks. but it’s just easier to pick a pre made one up.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Nice find Purp. I know your lungs will thank you for it. Maybe it’s time for me to consider one after breathing dust for 45 years.

Thanks

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

khop , I found this info regarding safe use of an electronic air cleaner ….I don’t know if it is the same device as an electrostatic air cleaner , but you might want to do some research before spraying any more lacquer in your shop.

”Electronic air cleaners should NOT be placed in any
area where potentially explosive gases or vapors exist,
nor should they be used in wet environments.”

Sharon , looks liike you made a good purchase , my friend : )

-- When my Grandmother became 60 years old , she started walking 5 miles a day...She's 97 now , and we have no idea where she is ! Ellen Degeneres

Kent, and Len – thank you for the comments.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Dusty, Thanks for the concern, The static air cleaner is only multiple mesh media something like steel wool. There is no electrical sparks or any kind of ignition points, it is totally only a fancy name for a lame filter.
Static, meaning still or not moving. Being Safety Director at work causes me to be even more aware at home and in my shop. With a wood burning stove and a pilot light on the overhead heater, I’m not willing to take the chance of an unwanted explosion. I extinguish all the open flames in my shop before using any combustables. Though I am human (stupid) I always catch myself still making mistakes like not wearing safety glasses all the time. I always say, a person never messes up when your alone, because there isn’t anyone around to see it. MYBAD
KHOP

-- How am I doing? Better than I deserve. Dave Ramsey

Thanks , khop for filling me in on the workings of your air cleaner : )
I wasn’t sure , but I was concerned for your safety…take care and Happy Holidays to you and yours !

-- When my Grandmother became 60 years old , she started walking 5 miles a day...She's 97 now , and we have no idea where she is ! Ellen Degeneres

My DIY has been talking about an “air cleaner” for years. You are envied! I too have suggested we build our own and design it to fit in our work space. Now, having seen pictures of yours I may just have to start searching for one that is “ready to go”. I guess like any machine that has filters, it is this that needs to be cleaned with monotonous regularity. I cannot think of anything else that would require “as you use” maintenance. Was there any instruction for safety check and maintenance to ensure good order? I would be happy to hear of the instructions as mine may be a used cleaner , though this would depend on the buying price.

-- Dave | Tool Shed | http://www.toolsheduk.com/

hmm. Dave, there’s not much to it – it’s a motor and fan that circulates air, and filters. as long as the motor is in working order, and the fans are clean and intact there shouldn’t be anything else that could fail with these units – shopmade, or commercial. hope that answers your questions, feel free to PM me if you have any more.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Sharon,

I see we’ve both stepped up in the world.

Mine weighs 92#.

I finally got smart, and bought a HF block and tackle. Still a bit of a bear to wrestle with, but … oh, man … did the IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) improve.

Congrats, and … best to your respiratory health :-)

-- -- Neil

Thats cool Neil, looks like you got the supersize-me :) congrats on the upgrade, it does indeed make a big difference in the air quality. luckily mine wasn’t as heavy and I was able to 1. get it home, and 2. install it on the ceiling with little trouble.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.